’Tis The Season To Get Crafty

It’s that time of the year again. Get ready for the fourth edition of the Max Design Awards. This time, the Max Design Awards 2017-2018—Student Edition is calling out to all the talented designers that generation Z has to offer. Think of this as your stepping-stone to the world of fashion. Innovate, create, and showcase your designs here and you can be rest assured that everyone who’s anyone in fashion will be watching. The theme? Craftivism. To put it simply, Craftivism explores the power of combining art and activism to trigger conversations about social change. It allows people to practice their own individual, different crafts, which in turn help unite and reclaim our world as one. And if you’re lost for inspiration, look no further. Here are five designers that have ruled runways with their strong designs, and even stronger causes:

Gaurav GuptaDelhi’s air pollution has been a cause of concern for many this year. With record-breaking pollution levels recorded, the air in the capital had many fleeing the city to breathe clean air elsewhere. And while some were finding respite outside the city, others, like designer Gaurav Gupta decided to stay back and tackle the problem head-on. The designer’s Anti Pollution Riot Campaign urged people to stop consuming fast fashion, say no to single serve plastic, indulge in better waste-management, and make a serious effort in reducing their carbon footprint. The designer himself launched a zero-waste collection two seasons ago, and also designed close to 300 Anti-Pollution Riot kits that contained a T-shirt and a mask to create awareness.

DoodlageNobody does re-manufacturing better than this young label. Kristi Tula's collection for Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2017 made from discarded waste was beyond gorgeous. In chic tones like marsala, navy blue, pastel blue, grey, the garments and styling were young, and made a strong case for eco-fashion. Who knew rags cleaned up this good?“The impact that fashion has today on the world is huge and that’s why we need to start seeing it more than just an aesthetic industry. Everyone is aware of the effects of mass production and the amount of pollution caused by unethical practices. Whether it’s the second most polluting industry or the fifth most, people in the industry know that certain practices have detrimental effects on our environment. From the chemical dyes one uses to the fabric wasted, every aspect needs to be given special attention. We, at Doodlage, our trying to adopt a zero-waste policy where we make sure we use every piece of the fabric we’re using. We also use the process of re-manufacturing whereby we make our garments using fabrics that would have found themselves in landfills normally. I personally have given lectures and workshops with young designers to help them understand ethical practices when it comes to design. We all need to, at the end of the day, think through our purchases.”- Kriti Tula, Doodlage

Amit AggarwalBlending the two cultures of Monaco and Banaras, AmitAggarwal’s winter/festive collection for Lakmé Fashion Week in 2017 paid an homage to tradition. The king of couture drew inspiration from Monaco to create an exquisite bridal collection that married elements of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco and the Opera De Monte Carlo with Benarasi brocades. Using his signature techniques of industrial pleating and latticing, Aggarwal’s collection restors vintage weaves and old saris using contemporary techniques to render garments a millennial vibe.

HUEMNTheir unique aesthetic has allowed them to make a name for themselves as the cool kids of Indian fashion. Their Spring/Summer 2018 collection in particular focuses on upcycling dead clothes so to speak, an agenda that Pranav Misra and Shyma Shetty, the brains behind the brand, feel very strongly about. And it’s not just clothes that echo a louder message with this label. Even their campaigns and runway presentations deviate from the norm to voice the psyche of their generation. From having friends walk the ramp to their latest HUEMN Project, an alternative label that encourages collaborations with artists, chefs, even musicians, this label is Generation Now.

“Fashion is a really powerful tool. If you look at fashion from any era, it’s representative of the times of that era. So, obviously fashion in 2017 is a reflection of the issues that concern us right now. At HUEMN, we’ve always looked at fashion as this tool. Our inspiration always lies in these social causes. So individual empowerment, inclusivity, these are some of the causes that HUEMN feels very strongly about, and that’s what we try to show through our work and our campaigns.”- Shyma Shetty, HUEMN

PéroIf their whimsical creations weren’t enough to love this brand, the fact that their creations and artisans are all local would be more than enough to convert the rest. The innate Indian identity of Péro comes from the fact that the brand aims to recreate Indian textiles in a unique way. Remember those cute ikat jackets that were woven with their signature heart logo? That is what Péro is known for. And that’s not all, Péro is also all about the indigenous industry. So whether it’s working with indigenous crafts or employing skilled, local craftspeople to bring life to their designs, this label all about homegrown, in every which way.

Raw MangoIf we’re talking about craftivism, we have to talk about Sanjay Garg’s Raw Mango. The label that’s managed to become a favourite amongst celebrities and the public alike. From Benarasi to Chikankari to Bengal mul, everything in Raw Mango is locally sourced and produced. Benarasi lehengas are back in style thanks to Raw Mango. His last collection, Cloud People, was a headturner with white, sheers, and gold, swirling around to create a mystical and transcendental theme. Since his first collection, Garg has focused on reviving and getting his wearer to fall in love local fabrics, weaves, and silhouettes, and continues to do so.

Feeling inspired yet? Be sure to log on to www.maxdesignawards.com for further details and to participate in the Max Design Awards 2017-2018. It’s the chance of a lifetime to make your mark.